Clifton Hall School, Midlothian

Number of pupils 370 Age range 3-18 Day pupils, co-ed

Clifton Hall School has flourished from a boys’ prep school founded in 1930 into a fully co-educational day school that provides a unique environment and an unsurpassed education for boys and girls aged three to 18.

Having vowed never to enrol more than 400 pupils at the school, the staff teach in small classes in order to aid the development of each pupil’s individual character and self-belief. That helps pupils to understand their own identity while feeling valued.

With an emphasis on non-selective admissions and an ethos based on inclusion, the student who is a talented dancer is held in the same high regard as the student who is achieving an A in Advanced Higher maths.

The school therefore provides a personalised learning programme which begins at Clifton Halls nursery.

From the very beginning of each pupil’s education, their individual qualities are enhanced through staff observations, support and teaching.

With an all-through education, pupils at Clifton Hall are comfortable in their environment and are settled in as they progress through each stage of learning.

Located on the south bank of the picturesque River Almond, pupils can draw inspiration from the Scottish baronial-style mansion, which is believed to have been designed by 19th century architect David Bryce, as well as the school’s 47 acres of grounds.

Providing care and support for up to 40 pupils aged between three and five, the nursery allows children to explore the natural world throughout the school’s grounds and to take part in worker-led activities involving music, PE and dance.

Set in its own building, the nursery also enables the children to start developing their numeracy and literacy skills and the pre-school children enjoy taking part in French and swimming.

They also experience areas of the Curriculum for Excellence Early level, which has a strong emphasis on play.

As the children move into the junior school, they are encouraged to develop their own learning style and critical thinking skills start to develop.

All junior classes undertake three educational trips and in junior seven the children enjoy a week-long visit to an outdoor education centre.

While 50 per cent of the curriculum is devoted to numeracy and literacy, coherent programmes of study across a multitude of subjects prepare the children for the senior school where teaching follows the Scottish curriculum.

Pupils aim to achieve a broad range of qualifications including National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher and all pupils go on to further or higher education. Last year, the school’s pass rate at Higher level was 83 per cent and at Advanced Higher, the pass rate was 86 per cent. For National 5s, the pass rate was 93 per cent.

Although Clifton Hall was built around the belief of high academic and moral standards, co-curricular activities to ensure the development of soft skills and a happy learning environment are also an important aspect of school life.

There is an assortment of clubs and activities for all of the pupils to enjoy such as ballet, dance, fencing and drama. With a number of drama productions throughout the year, pupils can experience performance or backstage roles while covering a wide range of genres from hard-hitting drama to musicals.

The many ensembles and choirs allow pupils to be actively involved in making music and many pupils study

music as part of the curriculum, so all children are encouraged to discover a love of music.

Through a dynamic curriculum and an array of activities, Clifton Hall School equips pupils with skills used in their day-to-day lives and instils the values of honesty, tolerance and respect.

They leave as confident individuals with a positive attitude to learning and who can participate effectively in groups as much as they can make their own decisions.

Clifton Hall School has a belief that if you are kind and work hard then you can do anything – if you can dream it, you can do it.